Sand Creek wrestlers shine at Division 4 individual district

Sunday

Feb 10, 2013 at 8:15 AM

County teams produce 30 regional qualifiers

By David ZinserDaily Telegram Sports Writer

The Sand Creek High School wrestling team produced 14 regional qualifiers at Saturday's Division 4 individual district tournament at Blissfield. Madison had nine wrestlers advance, while Blissfield had seven.

The regional qualifiers from the Blissfield district advanced to next Saturday's Hudson regional.

Of Sand Creek's 14 qualifiers, six of them took first place in their respective weight classes. Roger Fox (145 pounds), Blake Scroggie (135), Nick Garza (160), Charlie Robertson (189), Garrett Miller (215) and Gabe Beaubien (285) won district titles. Taking second place for the Aggies were Terry Burns (103), Michael Petee (112), Robert Standlick (125), Eli Megale (135) and Trevor McDormett (152). Taking third place for the Aggies were Ryan Knox (119) and Masen Moore (171), while Kyle Lakatos (125) took fourth.

"Getting all 14 wrestlers through was a big goal for us, and I'm proud of the team that we succeeded in doing that," said Sand Creek coach Marc Spicer. "Competition only gets harder from here. We have to have great practices from here on out and take it one match at a time. First goal is team regionals, then we will focus on individual regionals."

Nick Klemm won the 140-pound district title for Madison. Taking second place for the Trojans were Austin Wilt (119), Isaiah Espinoza (145) and Garrett Vansickle (160). Taking third for Madison were Dayton Klama (103) and Drake Tovarnek (135), while Jake Knisel (130), Aaron Pifer (145), and Jake Hamilton (171) took fourth place.

"We wrestled 13 today, and nine advanced so pretty happy with that," said Madison coach Scott Hall. "We only had five last year, so you can see the improvement. This week at practice should go really well, because everyone has the same goals."

The Royals had three wrestlers reach the finals, but fell short in all three. Taking second for Blissfield was Dan Barta (130), Grant Mitchell (140) and Thomas Jackson (189). Dylan Thompson (285) and Dakota Underwood (215) placed third, while Zach Goetz (285) and Luke Smith (119) took fourth place.

"Getting seven through is pretty good for us," Blissfield coach Andy Ford said. "We have a lot of young guys, and they just haven't hit that stride to be winning championships yet. We have time to fix some of the little things over this next week of practice, and hopefully we can get some guys going to states."

Fox defeated Espinoza in the 145 championship match, earned a pin in 3:40 to claim back-to-back district titles.

"I'm pumped for next week, team regionals and now individual regionals, as well," Fox said. "This year I need to get the job done and place at states."

Scroggie defeated Megale in the championship match, pinning his teammate in 3:36.

"All the hard work is really paying off," Scroggie said. "I have mixed emotions with beating my teammate for the championship, but we both get to advance."

Nick Garza, a state runner-up last season, defeated Vansickle in the 160 championship match with a quick pin of 44 seconds to claim back-to-back district championships.

"All I want this year is first place at states," Garza said. "I fell one match shy last year, and that's what I've been gunning for ever since."

Robertson defeated Jackson in the 189 championship match with a pin in 1:35.

"As a sophomore, I'm really excited to get first place here," Robertson said. "You don't see young guys taking first in the 189-pound weight class. I feel I have a real good shot at states."

Miller defeated Alan Taylor of Detroit Loyola in the 215 championship match, pinning Taylor in 2:47 to become another Aggie to win back-to-back district titles.

"It feels good and feels really good to see everyone on the team being successful," Miller said. "I'm looking forward to regionals and states. I'm going for it all this year."

"I have high expectations for myself and the team this year," Beaubien said. "I'm going for top four in the state and to help our team go to states."

Klemm pinned Mitchell in 1:38 to give Madison its district champion.

"It feels good to represent my team as a champion today, but my goals aren't close to being accomplished yet," Klemm said. "Last year I fell one match shy of making it to states, and this year my goal is to place at states."

Sand Creek will host its team regional Wednesday and looks to make its first trip to the state finals in Battle Creek.